The Healthy Blogger

Sleeping separately may save lives (and sanity)

As mentioned many times before, sleep is extremely important to your health.  There are various factors that contribute to a poor night of sleep, and though it may be acknowledged in private before, a doctor has now publicly stated that sleeping in separate beds may be good (or even better) for married couples.

For some couples, I believe that’s very true.  Issues of snoring, blanket-hogging and movement can be disturbing for the partner, which results in poor sleep.  It is especially the case when the partner is a light sleeper.

I know from experience that having kids join you in the night is extremely annoying.  I also know that my husband would prefer to sleep in his own bed – no disturbances from anyone.  I, on the other hand, would prefer to sleep with my husband.  Yes, we end up disrupting each other’s sleep, but there’s also a sense of security knowing that someone is there.

We’ve done the sleeping separately deal.  I can’t speak for him, but I really haven’t noticed that my sleep hygiene is any better.  I do notice that there is less waking up in the night, but it is not nil.  That may just be a function of the bed I sleep on.  In any case, the jury’s still out on this.

At least the doctor didn’t advocate that all married couples sleep separately.  It would only be a consideration if there were some serious sleep issues involved.  And it need not be a permanent state.  I have to admit that we both have sleep issues and are constantly tired.  But, the first step would be to get decent beds.

Sleep deprivation linked to hyperactivity in children

It is a well-known fact that sleep deprivation affects your mood.  So the recent Finnish study that reported children’s behaviour worsened with inadequate sleep should come as a no-brainer.  However, it made news because most reports on sleep focused on adults.

But, now we know better.  Children who do not get enough sleep may not show signs of sleepiness, but often they do.  However, they may be very irritable and hyperactive, instead.  Some, for those unfortunate parents, may show all these signs. It is difficult for most parents to gauge the amount of sleep their children are getting.  Just because they’ve sent their children to bed does not mean that child fell asleep.  Some children may have difficulty falling asleep while others purposely stay awake to do something else.  The consequences are usually the same.  Yet, it may be difficult to persuade children that if they had enough sleep, they would feel better.

The children in the Finnish study did not have ADHD, but when they had less than 8 hours of sleep, they began to display symptoms of ADHD.  Perhaps, there is a connection somehow.  It seems that more and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD recently.  Many are treated; some may be inappropriately treated.  Though the studies showed that 8 hours was the threshold for sleep adequacy, experts warn that not all children need 8 hours.  The Healthy Blogger would agree.  Some may need much more.  On the other hand, some may function very well with less.  This is less usual and would probably be more appropriate for older children.  The same criteria can be applied to adults.  Most require 8 hours, some may do with less, some will require more.  And, usually the elderly do better with frequent short spurts of sleep.

However you look at it, we all need adequate sleep.  How much is adequate is individualised.  You can always tell when you’ve not had enough.  Now, you know how to spot it in children as well.

The importance of sleep

Sleep disturbances have made news again. As mentioned previously, any sleep disorder can cause physical and mental fatigue. When the sleep disorder becomes chronic, people can become quite mentally disabled. In those who already suffer mental disorders, sleep problems may be a manifestation of that psychiatric disorder, but it may also cause or exacerbate the condition. Sleep disturbance and suicide have been linked in those with psychiatric problems, but new research shows that the two are also linked in those without psychiatric problems.

Lack of sleep affects a person’s judgment and ability to control impulses. Many attempted and successful suicides result from spur of the moment impulses. Of course, some will argue that the chronic insomnia created a psychiatric disorder, in which suicidal tendencies are just one manifestation. Nevertheless, it can be argued that someone without a pre-existing psychiatric illness can become suicidal from the sleep disturbance.

So it is extremely important to reiterate the need for adequate sleep. It is essential for normal day-to-day functioning as well to lengthen your lifespan.